PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Friday warned that if the legislation proposed by the provincial government sought to undermine the police’s professional independence, he would reject it.

“I will review the proposed changes to the police law in light of the Constitution,” he told reporters here.

The governor said the reports suggested that the proposed law sought to declare the police chief subordinate to the provincial government, so if the bill reached his office after approval by the assembly, he would decide about its fate in light of the constitutional provisions.

He said the province’s police had rendered immense sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and therefore, the force should be strengthened instead of being subjected to political influence.

Says will review proposed changes to police law in light of Constitution

Mr Kundi urged members of the provincial assembly not to approve the proposed police law and urged government officials to act in accordance with court orders to prevent public servants from becoming involved in any anti-state activities.

Mr Kundi called for provision of salaries and benefits to the province’s police equal to those offered to the force in other provinces, and proposed a dedicated fund to ensure education and financial support for the families of martyred police officials.

He also criticised the provincial government’s “misplaced” priorities and expressed concern over the prevailing law and order situation.

The governor complained that the PTI government’s focus remained on political protests rather than addressing public issues.

He urged the provincial government to concentrate on improving education, healthcare and public services, pointing to doctors’ strikes, protests by teachers, employees and pensioners, the spread of dengue and delays in anti-polio campaigns in several districts.

About speculation regarding the imposition of the governor’s rule in the province, Mr Kundi said any decision in that regard would be taken by the Centre in the broader interest of the province and not solely in the context of the PTI’s proposed long march on Islamabad.

He said peaceful protest was a democratic right but incitement to violence and destruction couldn’t be justified.

The governor said that the provincial government was attempting to involve government employees and police personnel in the protest but such bids would fail.

He urged the provincial leadership to focus on education, healthcare and public welfare instead of political agitation.

Referring to the canal breach in Dera Ismail Khan, Mr Kundi complained that rehabilitation and relief efforts had yet to be carried out effectively.

He also resented the denial of the right of the former Fata and Pata regions to the province’s resources.

He said the federal government had already provided modern weapons to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through Heavy Industries Taxila, while another consignment would be delivered according to schedule.

Published in Dawn, September 26th, 2026